Ask American Profile 9/13/2009

Denise Vasi, Henry Mancini and Johnny Mercer, Dan Rather, Jim Parsons, Sally Kellerman

Q What is the nationality of the actress that plays Randi on All My Children? She is so beautiful. Does she have green eyes?
—Nancey Blackburn, Alton, Ill.

Before landing the role of Randi Morgan on the popular soap opera, Denise Vasi, 28, was a model and graced the pages of magazines such as Marie Claire and Elle. Born and raised in New York City, she is of Greek, Puerto Rican and Dominican heritage, and yes, her eyes are green. She also was the face of Olay's spring 2009 TV advertising campaign.


Q What other songs were written by Henry Mancini and Johnny Mercer, the composers of "Moon River"? What are their birthdays and dates of death? Is it true that Mercer was born and is buried in Savannah, Ga?
—Edward Jackson, Hilliard, Fla.

Mancini, born April 16, 1924, died June 14, 1994. Mercer, born Nov. 18, 1909, died June 25, 1976.  They also wrote "Days of Wine and Roses" and "Charade." Yes, Mercer was born in Savannah and is buried there in the Bonaventure Cemetery next to his parents and wife.  His family plot is near the Wilmington River, which inspired the lyrics to "Moon River."


Q What has Dan Rather been doing since he left CBS Evening News? I really miss him.
—LaVeta Pennock, Rock Springs, Wyo.

The veteran newsman, 77, can be seen weekly on TV's Dan Rather Reports on HDNet, for which he covers a variety of topics in his trademark no-holds-barred style. He lives in New York with his wife and has two grown children.


Q Is Jim Parsons, who plays Sheldon on the sitcom The Big Bang Theory, a science geek in real life, or does someone have to help him with all the science talk on the show?
—April Sanders, Shreveport, La.

"The writers put definitions and pronunciations of unfamiliar terms in the front of every script we get," explains Parsons, 36, who began acting in the first grade in Houston, Texas, and is definitely not a science geek. "What always surprises me is I don't feel that they have done enough of that. There usually are six more terms there that I have never heard of and don't know how to pronounce." He often turns to the Internet for help.


Q What is Sally Kellerman, the actress who played "Hot Lips" O'Houlihan in the classic film M*A*S*H, doing today?
—Richard Robinson, New Richmond, Wis.

The actress displays her musical side on a new CD, Sally, which she says is "blues-based jazz and funky." "I've always been a singer," says Kellerman, 72, whose recent acting gigs have included the film Boynton Beach Club and an upcoming Hallmark Channel movie, Wishing Well. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband of nearly 30 years, film producer Jonathan D. Krane, and their adopted twins, Jack and Hannah, who recently completed high school. 

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